Dog Question--Please Help!

[Argie's Wife]

I would suggest you don't acknowledge the dog, don't make eye-contact, and don't speak to him. That can be easier said than done, especially with something as big as a Rottie, but dogs know rejection when they see it. If you engage the dog, expect to be treated as his/her 'alpha' and to be followed.

If this is a common occurrence I would contact the town's animal control officer to let them know of your encounter and let them handle the situation with the dog's owner. The dog is just being a dog - it's the owner's responsibility to keep their pet confined according to the laws.

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I would suggest you don't acknowledge the dog, don't make eye-contact, and don't speak to him. That can be easier said than done, especially with something as big as a Rottie, but dogs know rejection when they see it. If you engage the dog, expect to be treated as his/her 'alpha' and to be followed.

If this is a common occurrence I would contact the town's animal control officer to let them know of your encounter and let them handle the situation with the dog's owner. The dog is just being a dog - it's the owner's responsibility to keep their pet confined according to the laws.

One of the best statements for advice yet. Don't make eye contact. Calling the Moultonborough Police is probably the second best advice that has been given. Our yellow lab Sam escaped a few years back and someone must have called the MPD and after many hours of searching, we called the MPD, and sure enough they had him. He was in the pen at the far part of the parking lot looking so dejected and alone, but safe. The MPD officer on duty was so kind and understanding about how we were concerned about Sam and he told us the story of how they just opened the door and (stupid O, thats that's what we call him when he is being a typical lab) just hopped in the back of the patrol car and was taken to jail.

The MPD understand about lost dogs and I would give them a 10 as far as handling lost dogs!

[Seeker]

My wife carries a type of Mace with her everytime she walks our dog. This started when an irresponsible owner of a mastiff just let him run loose and he attacked our dog while my wife was walking him resulting in hundreds of dollars in vet bills, never to be recovered. Neither sheriff nor local dog officer would respond due to the dog belonging to a local whacko who most of them don't want to be involved with as he has threatened LEOS before.

In my opinion the owner should get the Mace, not the dog.

.

[lawn psycho]

If that was my routine route, given the breed, I'd be carrying a 22 caliber pistol. If it happens again I'd call the police or animal control.

Those dogs are territorial and can be peaceful one day and spit nails the next. I'm a huge dog lover but Rotts and Pits can not be trusted.

[baygo]

Try this. Command the do to sit. Then after the dog sits, Command it to stay. Then just walk away. Use simple one word commands.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I would suggest you don't acknowledge the dog, don't make eye-contact, and don't speak to him. That can be easier said than done, especially with something as big as a Rottie, but dogs know rejection when they see it. If you engage the dog, expect to be treated as his/her 'alpha' and to be followed.

If this is a common occurrence I would contact the town's animal control officer to let them know of your encounter and let them handle the situation with the dog's owner. The dog is just being a dog - it's the owner's responsibility to keep their pet confined according to the laws.

All good advice.

As one who has been bitten three times (but 10-15 years between bitings)—and while debating "Pit Bull" bitings elsewhere—I stumbled upon some sensible advice from Canada: